REMINDER: PTSD Prevention Plan Information Deadline is April 23, 2017

Employers of first responders and other workers covered by the new PTSD presumption under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 must submit information about their plans to prevent workplace Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (“PTSD”) to the Minister of Labour on or before April 23, 2017.

Employers have been directed to provide their PTSD prevention plan information pursuant to a new power of the Minister of Labour introduced by the Supporting Ontario’s First Responders Act. The Supporting Ontario’s First Responders Act came into force on April 6, 2016 as part of the Ontario government’s multi-faceted strategy to prevent and mitigate PTSD among Ontario’s first responders.

The Ministry of Labour Act (“MOL Act”) now allows the Minister to request and publish information from employers of specified first responders about their workplace PTSD prevention plans, and to use the collected information to assess progress in the prevention of PTSD among first responders and report on PTSD Prevention Plans in relevant workplaces.

Failure to comply with a direction made under the MOL Act is an offence subject to a fine of up to $25,000, imprisonment for a term up to 12 months, or both.

To assist employers in developing and implementing PTSD Prevention Plans for their workplaces, the Public Services Health & Safety Association and the Ministry of Labour have developed a free online resource Toolkit. The Toolkit includes information designed to guide employers through the development of a Prevention Plan tailored to the needs of their employees and their organization.

The Toolkit is available at http://www.firstrespondersfirst.ca/. Employers can also contact the Public Services Health & Safety Association at 1.877.250.7444 for more information.

For more information on the Supporting Ontario’s First Responders Act see our February 19, 2016 In a Flash.